I was wondering if any of you violin players also play the mandolin? And if so, is it easy to pick up mandolin after playing the violin? I love bluegrass music and my dad said he would get me a mandolin, but I don`t want to start another instrument if it is going to require hours of practice just to figure it out. Tootles.

Yes, I played the mandolin for the 20 or so years I wasn`t actively playing the violin. The notes and spacing on the neck are about the same...strumming, a good tremelo, picking cleanly, take a little time, but it`s not bad. Cross-picking I found harder. The one thing I didn`t do, and I wish I had, was learn to chord...

...if I had to do it again (and I can still give it a go)...I would learn to chord at the same time...